ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
PIB Headquarters
PHOTODIVISION ANNOUNCES 8TH NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
Photo Division, Press Information Bureau, under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, has invited entries for the 8th National Photography Awards.
The Division confers these Awards every year, to promote various facets of the country such as art, culture, development, heritage, history, life, people, society, and tradition through the medium of photography, and to encourage professional and amateur photographers across the country.
The National Photography Awards are conferred under three categories - Lifetime Achievement Award, Award for Professional Photographers, and Award for Amateur Photographers.
The Lifetime Achievement Award carries a Cash Prize of Rs. 3,00,000/-.
This year's theme for the Professional Photographers is 'Life and Water.' The awards under the Category for Professionals are one ‘Professional Photographer of the year’ award with a Cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/- and five Special Mention Awards with a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/- each.
This year's theme for the Amateur Photographers is 'Cultural Heritage of India.' The awards under the Category for Amateurs are one ‘Amateur Photographer of the year’ award with a Cash prize of Rs.75,000/- and five Special Mention Awards with a cash prize of Rs.30,000/- each.
Detailed Guidelines, and the Registration Form for the 8th National Photography Awards are available on the websites photodivision.gov.in and pib.gov.in
Prime Minister's Office
Telephone call between President Putin and Prime Minister
The President of the Russian Federation H.E. Mr. Vladimir V. Putin called Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today and congratulated him on his victory in the general elections. President Putin expressed his conviction that the Prime Minister would further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the peoples of both countries and enhance the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership that bindthe two countries together.
Prime Minister thanked President Putin for his warm wishes and congratulatory words. He acknowledged the growing cooperation between both sides as well as his personal exchanges with President Putin over the last few months. Prime Minister conveyed that he looked forward to his forthcoming interactions with President Putin to further nourish and strengthen thetime-tested and longstanding bilateral partnership between India and Russia.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Beneficiaries of Dhenkanal get beekeeping training and toolkit
Integration of Apiculture with Floriculture, a component of CSIR Floriculture Mission is being implemented in convergence with Honey Mission Program of Khadi and Village Industries Commission. Under this convergence, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute  is giving saplings of tuberose, marigold, rose and jasmine and KVIC is providing Beehives with bee colonies, iron stand, toolkit and Beekeeping training to the beneficiaries of 6 SHGs in Odisha.
100 beehives with bee-colonies, iron stand and 10 Sets of toolkits were distributed to 10 members of Maa Jenadei SHG in village Harekrushnapur of Dhenkanal District today. 2000 corms of Tuberose Saplings were also distributed to the beneficiaries, in the presence of Shri Samir Kumar Mohanty, State Director, KVIC, Shri B N Panda, Asst Director, KVIC, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Mohanty, Senior Principal Scientist, Dr Soumit Kumar Behera, Principal Scientist of CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute , Lucknow, Mrs. Gitashree Padhi, Deputy Director, Horticulture Dhenkanal, Shri Nirod Jena, Deputy CEO, ORMAS, Dhenkanal and Shri Chittaranjan Puhan, Beekeeping Master Trainer.
Shri Mohanty, State Director, KVIC said that the village Harekrushnapur, located on the foothills of Kapilas Wildlife Sanctuary having variety of flora is highly suitable for Beekeeping. He advised the beekeepers to focus on producing more bee colonies. Mrs Gitashree Padhy, DDH told that the horticulture Department will buy tuber-rose saplings from the beneficiaries for distribution at other places. Dr. Chandra Shekhar Mohanty of NBRI told that the integration of apiculture with floriculture will enhance the income of the beneficiaries.
Ministry of Rural Development
Participation of Rural Women in MGNREGS
Women participation rate in FY 2021-22 remains at 54.54%
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme  is a demand driven wage employment programme which provide for the enhancement of livelihood security of the households in rural areas of the country by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
As per the Para 15 of Schedule-II of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, “Priority shall be given to women in such a way that at least one-third of the beneficiaries shall be women who have registered and requested for work. Efforts to increase participation of single women and the disabled shall be made”.
Mahatma Gandhi NREGS is a gender positive programme which promotes participation of women by providing wage parity with men, provision of separate schedule of rates of wages for women, facilities for crèche, work-side sheds for children and child care services. In convergence with Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission , women mates have also been introduced, which again facilitate the participation of women. The Scheme also endeavors to provide works near the residence of the beneficiaries. These measures enhance participation of women.
The rate of participation of women and the computed women persondays in Mahatma Gandhi NREGS during the last three financial years and current financial year 2021-22  is given below:
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2021-22
|
|
Women participation rate 
|
|
54.59
|
|
54.78
|
|
53.19
|
|
54.54
|
|
computed women person-days

|
|
125.12
|
|
145.36
|
|
206.96
|
|
187.38

As per the Schedule I of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, construction of check dams are permissible under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS. The details of completed and ongoing works of check dams along with expenditure incurred under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS since inception as on 19.03.2022 is given below:
|
|
The details of completed and ongoing works of check dams constructed under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS since inception as on 19.03.2022
|
|
Number of completed check dams
|
|
Expenditure

|
|
Number of ongoing works of check dams
|
|
Expenditure

|
|
11,10,862
|
|
23093.82
|
|
2,31,810
|
|
6991.84
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Rural Development Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
405 ROUTES UNDER UDAN SCHEME
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme  - UDAN  on 21-10-2016 to stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses. UDAN is a market driven scheme. An airport which is included in the awarded routes of UDAN and requires upgradation/development for commencement of RCS operations, is developed under "Revival of unserved and underserved airports" scheme. Airports Authority of India, the Implementing Agency has identified 154 RCS airports including 14 water aerodromes and 36 helipads so far under UDAN for operation of RCS flights. Airports Authority of India, the Implementing Agency, has awarded 948 routes, from which, 405 routes involving 65 airports including 8 heliports and 2 water aerodromes have been operationalized under UDAN as on 09.03.2022.
Besides Viability Gap Funding , other concessions from Central, State Governments and airport operators are extended to Selected Airline Operators  to encourage operations from unserved/underserved airports/heliports/water aerodromes and to keep the air fare affordable.
While launching the UDAN Scheme in 2016, the Government had capped the Airfare at Rs. 2500 for a distance of 500 km to 600 km per seat under Regional Connectivity routes . The capping is subject to indexation as per the formula specified in the UDAN Scheme document.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation  V. K. Singh Retd) in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 184.86 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 15.95 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
1,84,86,85,495
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
15,95,39,716
More than 184.86 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 15.95 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Union Minister Dr. Bhagwat Karad to inaugurate Lecture series on "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav" by Regional News Unit, All India Radio, Aurangabad
Aurangabad : 26 August 2021
Regional news unit of All India Radio, Aurangabad is organising a lecture series on 75 th year of independence from September 3 under the name of "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav". The lecture series will be inaugurated by Union Minister of state for Finance Dr. Bhagwat Karad on Monday, August 30 at 9 AM. Member of Parliament from Aurangabad Mr. Imtiaz Jaleel will be the guest of honour on the occasion.
The history of the Indian independence movement from the arrival of the British in the country to the day of independence will be conveyed to the masses through this lecture series. At the same time, India's post independent development journey will also be showcased through the lecture series.
The series is divided into almost 100 episodes and will be broadcasted on two days in a week i.e on every Tuesday and Friday, at 06:35 PM from AIR, Aurangabad.
Eminent history scholars, researchers and philosophers from Marathwada and Maharashtra will be the part of the lecture series.
All the audio broadcasts of the lecture series will be made available on AIR, Aurangabad's YouTube channel"Akashwani Samachar Aurangabad" so that those who could not listen on radio can reach upto the content from YouTube channel. All India Radio, Aurangabad has appealed to the people to get benefitted from this special initiative.
Meanwhile, this year All India Radio, Aurangabad's Regional News Unit is also celebrating its 40 th foundation year. On this special occasion, an E-book will be released by the Union Minister Dr. Bhagwat Karad during the ceremony.
E-book comprises the memories and experiences of former and working employees who have worked and are still contributing in the evolutionary journey of Regional News Unit from 40 years.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 193.53 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 9.22 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
1,93,53,58,865
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
9,22,40,825
More than 193.53 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 9.22 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts search operations in Pune, Maharashtra
The Income Tax Department has initiated search and seizure operations on a leading group of Pune, engaged in dairy farming and milk products, on 25.11.2021. The search action covered more than 30 premises spread over 6 cities in India.
During the course of search action, several incriminating documents and evidences of tax evasion have been found and seized. The preliminary analysis of these evidence clearly shows evasion of taxable income by adopting various malpractices such as claim of bogus purchases, unaccounted cash sales, cash loan transactions and their repayment, unexplained cash credits, etc. Instances of incorrect claim of loss on account of sale or death of livestock, etc. have also been noticed.
Evidence has also been gathered revealing that the assesse group has not maintained proper and separate books of account for claiming specific deduction from its taxable income.
The search operation has resulted in the seizure of unaccounted cash and unexplained jewellery of about Rs. 2.50 crore while some bank lockers are yet to be operated. The search action, so far, has led to the detection of unaccounted income of more than Rs. 400 crore.
Further investigations are under progress.
Ministry of Finance
RBI Reiterates Legal Tender Status of ₹10 Coins of Different Designs
Kolkata, December 18, 2021
It has come to the notice of the Reserve Bank that in certain places of Andaman and Nicobar Islands there is some reluctance on the part of few traders and members of the public to accept ₹10 coins.
Reserve bank clarified that the Bank puts into circulation, the coins minted by the Government of India. These coins have distinctive features to reflect various themes of economic, social and cultural values and are introduced from time to time. As coins have longer life, coins of different designs and shapes circulate in the market at the same time. All these coins are legal tender and can be accepted for transactions. Therefore, members of the public may continue to accept coins of ₹10 denomination as legal tender in all their transactions without any hesitation.
Banks have also been advised to ensure adequate supply of coins as also to accept coins for transactions and exchange at all their branches.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
35.75 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India reports 34,703 new cases in last 24 hours; lowest in 111 days
India's Active Caseload declines to 4,64,357; lowest in 101 days
Active cases constitute 1.52% of total cases
2,97,52,294 Total Recoveries across the country so far
51,864 patients recovered during last 24 hours
Daily recoveries continue to outnumber the Daily New Cases for the 54th consecutive day
Recovery Rate increases to 97.17%
Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 2.40%
Daily positivity rate at 2.11%, less than 3% for 15 consecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 42.14 cr tests total conducted
Ministry of Railways
RUNNING OF SANTRAGACHHI-PURULIA-HOWRAH SPECIAL
Kolkata, November 4, 2021
The South Eastern Railway  authority has decided to run 02211/02212 Santragachhi-Purulia-Howrah Special from November 8, 2021.
02211 Santragachhi-Purulia Special leaving Santragachhi daily at 06:25 am will reach Purulia at 11:50 am. In the return direction, 02212 Purulia-Howrah Special leaving Purulia daily at 3:40 pm will reach Howrah at 9:15 pm at night. The trains will have stoppages at Kharagpur, Midnapur, Salboni, Chandrakona Road, Garbeta, Bishnupur, Bankura, Adra and Anara. In the return direction, the train will stop at Santragachhi also.
Prime Minister's Office
PM emphasizes the importance of archiving on International Archives Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has underlined the need for proper archiving and its role in preserving our heritage and knowledge.
Replying to a tweet thread on an exhibition organized by National Archives of India on the occasion of International Archives Day, the Prime Minister tweeted :
"Properly archiving is a testament to our commitment to preserving our heritage and knowledge. It ensures that future generations can connect with the past and continue building upon our collective wisdom. Let us cherish our archivists who diligently safeguard our history."
Ministry of Culture
Fourth bathing festival of Prayagraj Kumbh tomorrow
Third and Last Shahi Snan of Akharas at Prayagraj Kumbh will take place tomorrow on the occasion of Basant Panchami. It will be fourth bathing festival of the on going Kumbh. Prayagraj Mela Authority has claimed that about 2 crore devotees will take holy dip on the occasion. Mela administration has developed 8 km long 40 bathing ghats for devotees. Elaborate security arrangements are in place. Additional central para military forces are deployed in view of huge rush on the occasion. Two bridges on the rivers of Ganga and Yamuna will be closed for traffic and only old bridge on Yamuna will be opened for traffic. Five pantoon bridges from number one to five will also be closed for public and 7 and 19 number pantoon bridges will be for administrative use. Additional watch towers have been erected with public address system to regulate the rush of devotees. Mela administration has said that photography will not be allowed with 100 feet proximity of bathing ghats as per order of Allahabad High court. The court has also directed that photos of bathing women will not be allowed to publish. All educational Institutions at Prayagraj have been closed for three days from today.
Mela administration has also deployed magistrates and police officers at sensitive places to avoid any congregation of devotees at one place in the Mela area.
Ministry of Culture
Minister of State, Culture & External Affairs, Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi inaugurates ‘Temple 360’ website on the occasion of Nav Varsha at IGNCA today
Temple 360 is digital platform where anyone can visit or do darshan of 12 Jyotirlinga and Char Dham from any location : Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi
Minister of State for Culture & External Affairs, Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi launched the website ‘Temple 360’ in an event organized by Ministry of Culture at IGNCA Ampitheatre, Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts, New Delhi under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
After the launch of website, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi wished everyone a happy new year. While addressing the gathering she said, today we launched Temple 350 and I feel very happy when the young generation who is present here is dancing to the songs of Raghuvanshi ji, and that is the power of India.
She further added “ During Corona, people were not able to visit temples, there are many reasons people can’t go and visit temples, the temple 360 is that digital platform where anyone can visit or do darshan of 12 Jyotirlinga and Char Dham from any location.”
She explained that through this platgorm people can see and participate in e-Darshan, e-Prashad and e-Aarti which make everyone's life convenient and also keeps people connected.
Temple 360 is a website where one can visit a temple of their choice, anytime and from anywhere from India. With the help of this website, one can digitally witness the magnificence of some of the most pious Hindu pilgrimages that exist. The website also allows a devotee to perform e-aarti and several other services.
The event commenced with a Violin act by Mr. Arpan Bose and was followed by Bhajan performance by Mr. Farid Hasan and a dance performance titled ‘Sattriya Nritya’ by Ms. Anusuya Goswami.
The event concluded with Bhajan Sandhya performed by Mr. Hansraj Raguvanshi followed by Prasadam distribution to the audience.
Special Service and Features
Assorted Foreign currencies of various denominations totally worth Rs. 50.71 Lakhs seized by Chennai Air Customs
Based upon a specific information, five passengers viz. Shri Najirudeen s/o Shri Mohamed Kasim, Shri Raja Mohammed s/o Shri Mohammed Razik & Shri Jahir Hussain s/o Shri Buhari , Shri Vishnushagar s/o Shri Panneer Selvam  & Shri Absar Ali s/o Shri Salahudeen  were intercepted by the AIU officers. Upon personal search, assorted foreign currency notes of various denominations totally valued at INR 50.71 Lakhs were found concealed in their check-in baggages and footwears. The same were seized under the Customs Act, 1962.
Further investigation is under progress, according to a press release issued by K.R.Uday Bhaskar, Pr.Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
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Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Employment To Youth By MSMEs
Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME, through Khadi & Village Industries Commission, is implementing Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme  in the country including Madhya Pradesh State to set up new micro units. Under PMEGP, General Category beneficiaries can avail Margin Money subsidy of 25% of the project cost in rural areas and 15% in urban areas. For Special Categories such as SC / ST / OBC / Minorities / Women / Ex-serviceman / Transgenders / Differently-abled / NER / Aspirational Districts / Hill and Border areas etc., the Margin Money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas. The maximum cost of project is Rs. 50 lakh in the manufacturing sector and Rs. 20 lakh in the service sector.
Performance of PMEGP Scheme in the Madhya Pradesh State during last five years is given below:
|
|
Year
|
|
In Madhya Pradesh
|
|
In Gwalior District
|
|
Project
|
|
Margin Money

|
|
Estimated Employment
|
|
Project
|
|
Margin Money

|
|
Estimated
Employment
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2526
|
|
10002.28
|
|
20208
|
|
62
|
|
322.38
|
|
496
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2175
|
|
8063.63
|
|
17400
|
|
36
|
|
176.73
|
|
288
|
|
2020-21
|
|
4854
|
|
13808
|
|
38832
|
|
99
|
|
411.7
|
|
792
|
|
2021-22
|
|
8082
|
|
20961.46
|
|
64656
|
|
250
|
|
854.35
|
|
2000
|
|
2022-23
|
|
5957
|
|
18129.7
|
|
47656
|
|
142
|
|
464.03
|
|
1136
The targets of setting up new projects/units under PMEGP in Madhya Pradesh State and Gwalior District for FY 2023-24 are as follows:
|
|
FY
2023-24
|
|
In Madhya Pradesh
|
|
In Gwalior District
|
|
Project
|
|
Project
|
|
Targets
|
|
5528
|
|
97
This information was given by Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.